Wayne Rooney thanks Manchester United supporters and staff posting memorable images of his time at the club after completing Everton return

Wayne Rooney has thanked Manchester United fans, his former team-mates and staff for 13 hugely successful years at Old Trafford following an emotional return to Everton.

Rooney has signed a two-year contract at Goodison Park after completing a free transfer from United, and the England captain has expressed his gratitude towards all those who made him feel welcome at United since his arrival in 2004.

The England captain posted a series of images on his official Instagram account just a couple of hours after Everton confirmed the transfer, after Rooney had expressed to United manager Jose Mourinho his wish to return to his boyhood club.

Wayne Rooney has paid tribute to staff, the board and fans after leaving Manchester United

Rooney holds his arms aloft after scoring a stunning volley against Newcastle in April 2005

Rooney holds his arms aloft after scoring a stunning volley against Newcastle in April 2005

England's all-time leading goalscorer celebrates his hat-trick againstĀ Fenerbahce in 2004

England's all-time leading goalscorer celebrates his hat-trick againstĀ Fenerbahce in 2004

Rooney celebrates his first Premier League trophy at the end of the 2006-07 season

Rooney celebrates his first Premier League trophy at the end of the 2006-07 season

Mourinho revealed that he could not stand in the way of Rooney's desire to return home, and the club's all-time leading goalscorer wrote on the picture-sharing site: 'Just want to say a massive thank you to everybody at @manchesterunited.Ā 


'Thanks to the boards over the years, the managers and coaches I've played under, the staff I've worked with, the team mates I've played alongside, and finally the amazing fans that I've been lucky enough to have played for. Thanks for the memories!'

Rooney posted a series of memorable moments of him in a United shirt - the first of which sees him applauding the fans following a nasty gash to the face in a challenge with West Ham's Winston Reid last season.

The next image sees a then 19-year-old Rooney celebrating after scoring his memorable volley against Newcastle in April 2005, before the gallery jumps back to him celebrating his hat-trick on debut against Fenerbahce.

Rooney holds aloft the Champions League trophy after beating Chelsea in Moscow in 2008

He became the greatest goalscorer United have ever had after his late goal against Stoke

Rooney lifts the EFL Cup after the club beat Southampton at Wembley in February this year

The England captain produced one of the most memorable Premier League goals in 2011

The England captain produced one of the most memorable Premier League goals in 2011

Rooney poses alongside the Europa League trophy after United beat Ajax in Stockholm

Rooney was a model professionalism throughout his time at United and he has paid thanks

Rooney was a model professionalism throughout his time at United and he has paid thanks

Rooney has thanked United for a four-minute video celebrating his huge success at the club

Rooney has thanked United for a four-minute video celebrating his huge success at the club

Rooney is then seen lifting the Premier League trophy after winning his first domestic title at the end of the 2006-07 season, in which he scored 23 goals in all competitions, followed by him lifting the Champions League trophy in 2008.

The Croxteth-born forward is then pictured with Sir Bobby Charlton, picking up an award for becoming United's all-time leading goalscorer, and becoming the first to break the 250-mark.

In his farewell post, Rooney remembers arguably his greatest ever goal, with a stunning image of his bicycle-kick against Manchester City a worthy match-winner in February 2011.

Images of him lifting the EFL Cup and Europa League trophy - his final two pieces of silverware - are included with another image of him raising his arms to the skies - a poignant tribute to his late sister-in-law seen after all of his goals since January 2013.

Rooney later thanked United for a classy four-minute video entitled 'Farewell to a Legend,' which celebrates his 13 years at the club.Ā 

The 31-year-old striker netted 253 goals in total during his 13 years at Old Trafford

The 31-year-old striker netted 253 goals in total during his 13 years at Old Trafford

Back in blue: Wayne Rooney has re-joined his boyhood club from Manchester United

Back in blue: Wayne Rooney has re-joined his boyhood club from Manchester United

Wayne Rooney puts pen to paper to finalise his free transfer from Manchester United

Rooney puts pen to paper to finalise the free transfer from Manchester United

Rooney is acutely aware of Everton's history having been part of it as a young player

Rooney is acutely aware of Everton's history having been part of it as a young player

WAYNE ROONEY'S HONOURS AT UNITEDĀ 

Premier League: 2006ā€“07, 2007ā€“08, 2008ā€“09, 2010ā€“11, 2012ā€“13

FA Cup: 2015ā€“16

Football League Cup: 2005ā€“06, 2009ā€“10, 2016ā€“17

FA Community Shield: 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016

UEFA Champions League: 2007ā€“08

UEFA Europa League: 2016ā€“17

FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

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Having completed his move back to Everton, Rooney said he was 'ecstatic' to be returning to the club he grew up supporting and first joined as a nine-year-old before progressing to their first team.

Everton confirmed the free transfer - which is worth around Ā£150,000-a-week - with a short teaser video entitled 'welcome home Wayne' as Rooney sealed an emotional return to Merseyside.

Rooney spoke of his excitement at the move saying: '(Winning trophies with Everton) would be the pinnacle. I really feel now the club is moving in the right direction, bringing the right calibre of players in. I want to be part of it and hopefully part of a successful Everton team.

'It's a great feeling to be back. I'm excited, I cannot wait to meet the lads, get on the training pitch and then get on the pitch to play. I'm ecstatic ā€“ I just cannot wait to get back playing.

'I'm excited, and I'm excited by the signings that the Club have made. This club is moving forward. This football club should be winning trophies and we're taking huge steps to being involved and trying to win trophies.'

He departs as United's all-time top goalscorer after breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's record

He departs as United's all-time top goalscorer after breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's record